Plato for Kids
Plato’s nutrition & exercise tips.
Sharing meals together when your children are young can set them up for building good eating habits in the years to come.1 When eating together, consume a variety of foods from five main food groups: fruits, vegetables, dairy, protein, and grains.
Be a food role model for your kids by sticking to these basic principles:2
- Choose whole grains over refined grains.
- Regularly opt for whole fruits over juice.
- Eat more vegetables by trying a variety of different colored veggies.
- Incorporate a mix of proteins (seafood, lean meats, lean poultry, eggs, beans, peas, nuts, seeds, and soy products).
- Add nutrient-dense dairy sources, such as lower-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese.
Trying to be more mindful about what you and your family eat? Look for our wellness icons on the shelves while you’re shopping. Learn more about these icons and their benefits.
Plato tips to help your child stay active:3
- Encourage your kids to play actively several times every day.
- Limit TV, tablet, and other screen time to less than one hour total per day, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.4
- Be a role model and stay active yourself. Your child will learn from you that being physically active is fun and beneficial.
- Make playtime fun for the entire family! Take a walk together, play catch, kick a ball, or dance together.
Sources:
1 Hayes, Dayle, MS, RD. "Raise Healthy Eaters in the New Year." EatRight.org. January 3, 2020.
2 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). “Key Recommendations: Components of Healthy Eating Patterns.” 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 8th ed. November 21, 2016.
3 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). “Physical Activity for Preschoolers.” ChooseMyPlate.gov. Accessed January 13, 2020.
4 Hill, David, et al. “Media and Young Minds.” Pediatrics 138, no. 5 (November 2016): 1098-4275.
Plato coloring sheets.